Decorated articles of elastic material

ABSTRACT

A system for producing decorated articles of elastic material in which a rubber band is selected and a design is selected for that rubber band. A preferred embodiment prints or paints at least one of a series of graphic designs around at least a portion of the outer flat width of the rubber band. In a preferred embodiment, the design images are line drawing and silhouette style. In a preferred embodiment, the designs are applied to the rubber band with a wearable, washable, and stretchable paint process. The design may be repeated to go around the entire rubber band or only partially around, whichever way each particular design works best for the width and length of the rubber band.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] A large market exists for jewelry. People of all ages enjoy buying and wearing jewelry and decorative articles. In particular, a large market also exists for novelty jewelry. People of all ages enjoy buying and wear novelty jewelry in relation to a new fad or fashion trend.

[0002] Decorated articles may serve an ornamental purpose. Wearable decorated articles also may be used for purposes other than ornamentation. Decorated articles may be used for identification. Decorated articles also may be used for advertisement. In addition to being worn, decorated articles may be attached to other objects and used for identification, decoration, or advertisement.

[0003] Currently, most jewelry is not elastic or stretchable to accommodate many different shapes or sizes. Most jewelry or decorated articles are not painted with a wide variety of stretchable designs.

[0004] A need exists for elastic jewelry capable of being worn by people of many sizes. A further need exists for decorative articles made of a durable material. A need also exists for elastic articles decorated with designs.

[0005] Thus, a need exists for decorated articles of elastic material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention generally relates to decorated articles and, more particularly, relates to decorated articles of elastic material as bracelets or other form of jewelry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system is providing having at least a supply of rubber bands, a library of graphic designs for the rubber bands, a control unit to select a rubber band and a design, and an applicator to apply the design to the rubber band. In a preferred embodiment, a rubber band is selected and a design is selected for that rubber band. A preferred embodiment prints or paints at least one of a series of graphic designs around at least a portion of the outer flat width of the rubber band. In a preferred embodiment, the design images are line drawing and silhouette style. In a preferred embodiment, the designs are applied to the rubber band with a wearable, washable, and stretchable paint process. In a preferred embodiment, the design may be repeated to go around the entire rubber band or only partially around, whichever way each particular design works best for the width and length of the rubber band. A preferred embodiment is marketed and sold primarily as something to wear on a part of one's body. An alternative embodiment may be used for special purposes, such as business or company logos or themes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 illustrates preferred embodiments of articles of elastic material decorated with various designs.

[0009]FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 200 for forming a decorated article of elastic material.

[0010]FIG. 3 illustrates a system for producing decorated articles of elastic material.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011]FIG. 1 illustrates preferred embodiments of articles 100 of elastic material decorated with various designs. In a preferred embodiment, the article 100 comprises a band of elastic material 110 and a design 120 applied to the band 110. In a preferred embodiment, the band 110 is a stretchable rubber band. The band 110 is of average to heavy-duty strength. The band 110 is available in a variety of widths. In a preferred embodiment, widths may range from as narrow as 4 mm and as wide as 100 mm. The length of the bands 110 may also vary with the purpose for which the bands 110 will be used. In a preferred embodiment, the bands 110 may be of a variety of solid colors. For example, rubber bands may be white, black, red, green, yellow, blue, purple, etc. The shape of the rubber bands may include flat, round, half-round (half-moon or barrel), square, squiggly (wavy), triangle, octagon, hexagon or special cut-out or scalloped designs which may be made at either of the edges or within the interior portion of the elastic bands.

[0012] A preferred embodiment prints or paints at least one of a series of graphic designs 120 around at least a portion of the outer flat width of the rubber band. In a preferred embodiment, the designs 120 are arranged in a variety of themes, such as Holidays, Sports, Flowers, Party, Animals, Fish, Diamonds, Stars, Flames, Hearts, Hawaiian, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the design images 120 are line drawing and silhouette style. In a preferred embodiment, the designs 120 are applied to the elastic band 110 using a wearable, washable, and stretchable paint process. In a preferred embodiment, the designs 120 are applied directly to the elastic band 110 by automated machinery. In a preferred embodiment, the design 120 may be repeated to go around the entire band 110 or only partially around, whichever way each particular design 120 works best for the width and length of the band 110. The color of the design 120 will be in contrast to the color of the band 110. A variety of paint colors may be used. In an alternative embodiment, a “glow-in-the-dark” paint may be used for some designs 120. In an alternative embodiment, the band 110 may be dyed different colors.

[0013] A preferred embodiment is marketed and sold primarily as something to wear on a part of one's body and may include a bracelet, wristband, necklace, choker, belt, earring, armband, headband, fingerband, ankleband, toeband, etc. An alternative embodiment may also be used for items such as key chains, purse straps, other straps, etc. An alternative embodiment may also be used for any purpose for which a regular rubber band is already used. An alternative embodiment may be used for special purposes, such as business or company logos or themes. An alternative embodiment may be used to promote a company, product, or service.

[0014]FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 200 for forming a decorated article of elastic material. In Step 210, an elastic band is selected. In Step 220, a design is selected. In Step 230, the design is applied to the elastic band. In a preferred embodiment, the design is applied to the elastic band using a wearable, washable, and stretchable paint process.

[0015]FIG. 3 illustrates a system 300 for producing decorated articles of elastic material. In a preferred embodiment, the system 300 comprises at least one band 310 of elastic material, at least one design 320, an applicator 330 for applying a design 320 to an elastic band 310, and a control unit 340. The applicator 330 receives a band 310 and a design 320. The applicator 330 applies the received design 320 to the received band 310 of elastic material. The applicator 330 outputs the resulting decorated band of elastic material. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit 340 selects the band 310 to be sent to the applicator 330. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit 340 selects the design 320 to be sent to the applicator 330. The control unit 340 controls the operation of the applicator 330. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit 340 may select the portion of the band 310 to which the design 320 is to be applied. In an alternative embodiment, the selection of the band 310 may be executed by a human operator. In an alternative embodiment, the selection of the design 320 may be executed by a human operator.

[0016] While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of elastic material, said article comprising: a band of elastic material; and a design on at least a portion of said band of elastic material.
 2. The article of claim 1 wherein said design comprises a design painted on at least a portion of said band of elastic material.
 3. The article of claim 1 wherein said design comprises a design printed on at least a portion of said band of elastic material.
 4. The article of claim 1 wherein said design comprises a design embedded in at least a portion of said band of elastic material.
 5. The article of claim 1 wherein said design comprises a line drawing on at least a portion of said band of elastic material.
 6. The article of claim 1 wherein said design comprises a silhouette style design on at least a portion of said band of elastic material.
 7. A method of forming a decorated article of elastic material comprising: selecting a band of elastic material; and applying a design to at least a portion of said band of elastic material.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said applying step further comprises applying a design to at least a portion of said band using a wearable, washable, and stretchable paint process.
 9. The method of claim 7 further comprising selecting a design from a set of designs.
 10. A system for producing a decorated article of elastic material comprising: at least one band of elastic material; at least one design for said at least one band of elastic material; a control unit for selecting at least one design from said at least one design; and an applicator for applying said at least one design to at least a portion of said band of elastic material. 